Japan to Purchase US-made Refueling Aircraft

TOKYO -- Japan will purchase Boeing’s new KC-46A Pegasus midair refueling aircraft, in part because it will help its forces train with the United States, Japanese officials said.
Japan chose the Pegasus — which is slated to eventually replace the U.S. KC-135 fleet after its scheduled delivery in 2017 — over an offering from Europe’s Airbus.
Japan Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani called the Pegasus “a superior model for U.S. and Japan bilateral operation and training,” according to a Friday news conference transcript.
The tanker will fuel fighter aircraft deployed in the airspace surrounding Japan, Nakatani added.
In recent years, Japanese fighter jet scrambles have increased in response to potential airspace violations from China and Russia, according to Japan Defense Ministry statements.
China claims the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands, and the two nations have repeatedly sent fighters near the uninhabited East China Sea territories.
Japan will buy three KC-46 tankers by 2020 for about 20.8 billion yen ($172.8 million) per plane, according to Japanese media reports.
The Pegasus can carry up to 212,299 pounds of fuel, according to Boeing’s website.
The U.S. Air Force will acquire 179 KC-46 aircraft by 2027, Boeing said. The Air Force’s KC-135 Stratotankers were delivered between 1957 and 1965, according to the Air Force’s website. They have received periodic upgrades to engines, avionics and other systems.
--Stars and Stripes staffer Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report.